Prom 11: Mahler Symphony of a Thousand - 22.07.18

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:00
Royal Albert Hall

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No 8 in E flat major, 'Symphony of a Thousand'

Tamara Wilson soprano
Camilla Nylund soprano
Joélle Harvey soprano
Christine Rice mezzo-soprano
Claudia Huckle contralto
Simon O'Neill tenor
Quinn Kelsey baritone
Morris Robinson bass
Southend Boys’ Choir
Southend Girls' Choir
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Chorus
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thomas Søndergård conductor

'It is the best thing I have ever done,' said Mahler of his Eighth Symphony - for which tonight the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Thomas Søndergård, in his final season as Principal Conductor, join forces with no fewer than five choirs. One of the grandest symphonic statements of the repertoire, concluding with a dramatic setting of the mystical closing scene from Goethe's Faust, it's mammoth scale matches the impressive space of the Royal Albert Hall.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This would have been great for the First Night.

[Lordgeous]

I wish they were doing Mahler 2 instead. The 8th has never moved me in the same way (though I did sing in the chorus once at the RAH many years ago under Sargent or Boult - cant remember who).

[bluestateprommer]

I wish they were doing Mahler 2 instead. The 8th has never moved me in the same way (though I did sing in the chorus once at the RAH many years ago under Sargent or Boult - cant remember who).

There have been 8 (!) previous Mahler 8's @ The Proms:
(1) 1964, Prom 26: Charles Groves
(2) 1971, The First Night: Colin Davis
(3) 1972, Prom 7: Colin Davis
(4) 1975, The First Night: Pierre Boulez
(5) 1986, The First Night: Lorin Maazel
(6) 1995, The First Night: Andrew Davis
(7) 2002, Prom 30: Simon Rattle
(8) 2010, The First Night: Jiří Bělohlávek

This also addresses EA's point, where the majority of Mahler 8's in Proms history have been on the First Night.

[Darkbloom]

There have been 8 (!) previous Mahler 8's @ The Proms:
(1) 1964, Prom 26: Charles Groves
(2) 1971, The First Night: Colin Davis
(3) 1972, Prom 7: Colin Davis
(4) 1975, The First Night: Pierre Boulez
(5) 1986, The First Night: Lorin Maazel
(6) 1995, The First Night: Andrew Davis
(7) 2002, Prom 30: Simon Rattle
(8) 2010, The First Night: Jiří Bělohlávek

This also addresses EA's point, where the majority of Mahler 8's in Proms history have been on the First Night.

The 2010 one totally passed me by, as I thought it had been last played under Rattle. The Rattle performance was jam-packed. I remember getting there around midday and they were already queuing down the road! It was a hot day too, so the whole day required some stamina.

I sometimes listen to the second part on its own, without the bombast of the first part ringing in my ears. It can be so overwhelming (anyone who was at the Rattle concert will probably recall the startled 'wow!' of an audience member) that the rest can suffer by comparison.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The 2010 one totally passed me by, as I thought it had been last played under Rattle.

2010 wasn't one of the great performances - the soloists made some horrible noises (with the wonderful exception of the Mater Gloriosa ) and the pricnipal Trumpet also had a terribly "off" day - not helped on the telly broadcast by close-ups of him glaring at his instrument after every cracked/missed note.

A great pity - the chorus was fine, the rest of the orchestra was good, and Belohlavek had a masterful contorl of tempi, balance, etc.

[Stanfordian]

There have been 8 (!) previous Mahler 8's @ The Proms:
(1) 1964, Prom 26: Charles Groves
(2) 1971, The First Night: Colin Davis
(3) 1972, Prom 7: Colin Davis
(4) 1975, The First Night: Pierre Boulez
(5) 1986, The First Night: Lorin Maazel
(6) 1995, The First Night: Andrew Davis
(7) 2002, Prom 30: Simon Rattle
(8) 2010, The First Night: Jiří Bělohlávek

This also addresses EA's point, where the majority of Mahler 8's in Proms history have been on the First Night.

Concert programmers usually use Mahler 8 as a special event so I can see why it would open a festival. Clearly the Last Night is out owing to the jollifications so I reckon the penultimate concert of the festival would be ideal.

[BBMmk2]

yes, this does seem rather strange to have o0n now. Would have been an ideal first nighter! Looking forward to it though.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

yes, this does seem rather strange to have o0n now.

Sadly, the Orchestra of Opera North isn't featuring at all, Bbm.

Would have been an ideal first nighter! Looking forward to it though.

It would - but as the First Nights are reserved for the BBCSO and its principal conductor, they'd have had to have told Mr Sondergard and his orchestra to rehearse and programme a different work for their appearance - which I can't imagine would leave them feeling at all happy.

[teamsaint]

2010 wasn't one of the great performances - the soloists made some horrible noises (with the wonderful exception of the Mater Gloriosa ) and the pricnipal Trumpet also had a terribly "off" day - not helped on the telly broadcast by close-ups of him glaring at his instrument after every cracked/missed note.

A great pity - the chorus was fine, the rest of the orchestra was good, and Belohlavek had a masterful contorl of tempi, balance, etc.

If Carlsberg did trypos......

I think we can safely say that is a great addition to the language......

[Bryn]

If Carlsberg did trypos......

I think we can safely say that is a great addition to the language......

I woonder what it would sound like in this acoustic.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If Carlsberg did trypos......
I think we can safely say that is a great addition to the language......

[BBMmk2]

If Carlsberg did trypos......

I think we can safely say that is a great addition to the language......

Haha! Thank you ts! Not just me!

[Stanfordian]

Sadly, the Orchestra of Opera North isn't featuring at all, Bbm.


It would - but as the First Nights are reserved for the BBCSO and its principal conductor, they'd have had to have told Mr Sondergard and his orchestra to rehearse and programme a different work for their appearance - which I can't imagine would leave them feeling at all happy.

Never heard of forward planning! It doesn't have to be that way. I can't think of a convincing reason why BBCSO has to be first night. In the whole scheme of things it shouldn't make a blind bit of difference, other than convention. For example at one time the Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 had a traditional slot on the penultimate night.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Never heard of forward planning! It doesn't have to be that way. I can't think of a convincing reason why BBCSO has to be first night. In the whole scheme of things it shouldn't make a blind bit of difference, other than convention. For example at one time the Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 had a traditional slot on the penultimate night.

It was, and gave something to look forward to, for people mega-bored by the Last Night.